Over Gross Plus Icing Equals Deadly Combination

Investigators have determined that a Cessna 208B Caravan that crashed near Pelee Island, Ontario, on Jan. 17, 2004, exceeded the maximum allowable takeoff weight by at least 15 percent, in addition to being contaminated with ice. All 10 people on board were killed in the accident. The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada also concluded that the pilot’s decision to take off was “likely adversely affected by some combination of stress and fatigue.” Transport Canada is considering several TSB recommendations, including one that would require using actual passenger weights for weight and balance calculations, and another to prohibit the operation of the Caravan in moderate or severe icing conditions. The FAA adopted such an icing restriction in late March for all U.S.-registered Caravans.